West Indian manatee mother and baby Nov 8, 2023

Manatees have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are closely related to elephants and can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), making them one of the oldest mammals on Earth. These slow-moving herbivores have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters. Known for their friendly demeanor and unique whiskered faces, these sleepy creatures have always been welcoming towards humans. Sadly, they have been exposed to various threats, such as habitat loss and boat collisions, due to which raising awareness has become essential. So, if you visit Crystal River and come across a West Indian manatee, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them, but from a distance.

© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Nov 8, 2024Glacial rivers, Iceland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 12, 2025Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States
Oct 15, 2024Great wildebeest migration at Mara River, Kenya
Nov 16, 2023Athens and the Acropolis, Greece
May 18, 2025Pont St-Pierre across the Garonne River, Toulouse, France
Oct 23, 2023Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Dec 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona, USA
Dec 27, 2024Lake Bled, Slovenia
Jul 11, 2024Gangi, Sicily, Italy
Oct 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome, Italy
Feb 5, 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Jun 1, 2024Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Brazil
Sep 18, 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Portugal
Aug 31, 2025Scotts Bluff National Monument
Aug 1, 2024Floating fruit market, Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh
Aug 30, 2023Whale shark, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Dec 22, 2024Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Aug 22, 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington, United States
Dec 28, 2023Humpback whale
May 27, 2024Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante, Italy
Aug 19, 2024Bufadero de la Garita, Gran Canaria, Spain
May 4, 2025Plaza de España, Seville, Spain
Apr 3, 2025Saguaro National Park, Arizona, United State
Nov 28, 2024Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Canada
Jun 14, 2024Peggys Cove Lighthouse, Canada
Jan 5, 2025Plum-headed parakeet
Mar 2, 2025Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
Mar 9, 2024Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
Jan 30, 2024Ayna, Albacete, Spain
Jan 6, 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
Sep 25, 2024Giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park, California, USA